April 22, 2013

University of Wyoming scientists have developed a simulated robot made up of two different kinds of muscles along with bones and soft tissue for structure. This robot was devolved over a thousand virtual generations to move as fast, as far, and as functionally as possible.

February 12, 2010

This conceptual video is a corporate collaborative research project initiated by Bonnier R&D into the experience of reading magazines on handheld digital devices. It illustrates one possible vision for digital magazines in the near future, presented by our design partners at BERG.

The concept aims to capture the essence of magazine reading, which people have been enjoying for decades: an engaging and unique reading experience in which high-quality writing… read more

September 9, 2010

Textiles that moisten the skin, textiles that absorb perspiration, textiles that measure your heartbeat and your breathing, textiles that are both soft to the touch and water resistant — European researchers are working hard to create the next generation of textiles.

October 27, 2012

In this video, the Pet-Proto, a predecessor to DARPA’s Atlas robot, is confronted with obstacles similar to those robots might face in the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). To maneuver over and around the obstacles, the robot exercises capabilities including autonomous decision-making, dismounted mobility and dexterity.

March 2, 2010

BBTV | Boing Boing TV Gadgets editor, Joel Johnson, meets with his hero, futurist and artist Syd Mead, to discuss the evolution of conceptual design. Mead is a former designer for Ford Motor Company and US Steel. His designs have appeared in many movies, including Aliens, Tron, and Blade Runner.

April 3, 2010

Intuitive Surgical | The da Vinci robotic surgical system performs minimally invasive surgeries with extraordinary precision and more dexterity than the human hand. The original prototype for Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci System was developed in the late 1980s at SRI International under contract to the U.S. Army. While initial work was funded in the interest of developing a system for performing battlefield surgery remotely, possible commercial applications were even more… read more

October 13, 2010

Scientists have built a virtual heart that works just like its real counterpart, showing, for example, cells that don’t perform well enough, or allowing the study of the propagation of the electrical wave in someone’s heart muscle before implanting a pacemaker.

February 9, 2011

Microsoft Surface | An abstract of life in the workplace of tomorrow with suppressed visibility of technology and devices; directed by Microsoft’s Dane Storrusten, created by INVIVIA Inc.

Slashgear | Microsoft has released a few interesting concept videos over the past years, usually tipping their vision of multitouch, mobile handsets and the interaction between intelligent devices. Their two latest videos, “Home” and “Work,” take things more into the bizarre:… read more

February 1, 2011

Nova: Making Stuff — with David Pogue | What is the strongest material in the world? Is it steel, Kevlar, carbon nanotubes, or something entirely new? Nova kicks off the four-part series “Making Stuff” with a quest for the world’s strongest substances. Host David Pogue takes a look at what defines strength, examining everything from steel cables to mollusk shells to a toucan’s beak. Pogue travels from the deck of a U.S. naval aircraft… read more

December 7, 2011

BBC | An excerpt from the BBC documentary Upgrade Me. Poet and gadget lover Simon Armitage explores people’s obsession with upgrading to the latest technological gadgetry. Upgrade culture drives millions to purchase the latest phones, flatscreen TVs, laptops and MP3 players. But is it design, functionality, fashion or friends that makes people covet the upgrade, and how far does the choice of gadgets define identity? Simon journeys across Britain and to South… read more

February 17, 2012

NTD | The field of regenerative medicine is moving from the realm of science fiction to science fact. From fingers and ears to complex organs like livers or hearts, scientists at Wake Forest University are making headway into growing human body parts in a laboratory.